Technology

Loki: Chapter 19

Weaving

Creature
technology is, obviously, not fire-based like our own. Instead,
it is mainly based on weaving. It is believed that their technology
started with crude weapons such as clubs and stone or obsidian
knives, which were later carved into more intricate and useful
shapes. Another early ``invention'' was weaving, which was probably
first manifested in nets built for the purpose of either carrying
items or catching small fish. In later generations, the creatures
learned how to make nets large and strong enough to contain the
largest of predators. Such nets were huge, taking weeks to build,
and were commonly deployed over entire villages as defense. Other
devices included weapons similar to spear-guns.

"Growing" Structures"

One interesting early innovation which is still used today
is the method of building dwelling places: certain seaweeds are
woven into the general shape desired. Numerous coral-like animals
are then placed over this frame and secured into place with other
woven plants. A resinous secretion made by some sessile animals
can also be used as cement to anchor things together. Over time,
the coral animals grow together, forming a hard shell, impervious
to most predators. The coral animals benefit from small scraps
and waste left by the creatures, and the creatures benefit from
the shelter provided.

Flotation

Another
powerful force in this world is flotation. In more recent times,
larger structures have been built with flotation balloons inside
to keep the structures from collapsing. The balloons, actually
resembling half-spheres, are woven from fine-stemmed plants and
lined with resinous secretions. Gas bubbles are generated by some
plants or captured from vents in the ocean floor. Thus, enormous
structures can be built without anything resembling pillars for
support. More recently yet, it has been discovered that, by using
a relatively small amount of energy to boil water, the energy
the steam that is produced makes available is more than adequate
to compensate. Large towers are built of obsidian, using difficult-to-find
animals and plants which are resistant to heat as chinking. Water
is then boiled at the base through a variety of possible means,
including harnessing lava, and the resulting steam bubbles are
used to power turbines, set to a variety of uses. Thus, almost
all creature ``factories'' have a similar look---a tall, black
tower with hot water (which, if you recall, is visible to them)
streaming out the top.

Electricity

With
the advent of electricity in some civilizations, a common city
design has been seen: several towers near a vent, surrounded by
a three-dimensional network of coral houses, and a strong net
around that. Electricity may then be transported in varying amounts
to any of the residences for heat.

Eruption Prediction

In ancient times, superstitions abounded as to when
the life-giving volcanic eruptions would occur. Some were eventually
shown to be reliable. As technology increased, the creatures learned
scientifically to predict where and when eruptions and vents would
begin or end. It is rumored that a few civilizations have the
capability of actually causing eruptions, but such claims
are unsubstantiated.

Pressure Vessels

Another recent advance is pressure
vessels which allow the creatures to venture to great heights
in the oceans, even possibly to the surface in the near future.